WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday sent a new year's message to those who celebrate the Lunar New Year around the world.

According to a statement from the White House, Obama and First Lady Michelle sent their "warmest wishes to all those who will be celebrating the Lunar New Year this Sunday, February 10th."

Obama said in Chinese tradition, the snake represents wisdom, and a thoughtful approach to "tackling the challenges before us."

"Our challenges may be great, but our diversity and the traditions that thrive here give us the strength to meet them," said Obama. "To everyone celebrating the Lunar New Year, I wish you peace, prosperity and good health and fortune."

LONDON, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister David Cameron sent his wishes to those celebrating the Chinese New Year on Friday.

"As we welcome the Year of the Snake, the celebrations here in Britain will remind us once again of the richness of Chinese culture and the incredible contribution that our Chinese communities make here in Britain," he said in a video clip on the official website of the Prime Minister's office. Full story

BUDAPEST, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hungarian President Janos Ader offered his New Year's greetings to the Chinese citizens of Hungary on Friday, published in the local Chinese language weekly, Budapest News.

Writing on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, Ader noted that although many holidays and cultural customs were marked quite differently in China and Hungary, both peoples wanted the same thing: happiness, a chance to advance and a peaceful life with a faithful mate, and surrounded by a loving family. Full story

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- With the Chinese Spring Festival due in two days, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak spreads the cheers by greeting his ethnic Chinese compatriots on a television clip and a radio commercial posted on his Facebook page.

The prime minister, donned the red Chinese jacket Tangzhuang, appears as a mystery man who is handed a drum by a girl outside a house as a family prepares a reunion dinner. Full story

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-general Ban Ki- moon on Thursday sent a message to the Chinese people, wishing them a happy new year as the traditional Chinese Spring Festival draws near.

At the beginning of the video message, Ban introduced himself in Mandarin Chinese. Full story